Laboratories reporting environmental data to the IDNR must be certified. The objective of the certification program is to ensure that the results of testing performed are accurate and legally defensible. The IowaDNR certifies laboratories within the State and across the United States for the following environmental programs:

The IDNR is the certifying authority of the laboratories for these environmental programs. The University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) provides technical support for certification process as the appraisal authority.

The SHL maintains a comprehensive web site pertaining to the laboratory certification and their other programs. See the following web sites for information on certified laboratories testing services and capabilities and becoming a certified environmental laboratory.
Laboratory Reporting to the IDNR:
Subrule 83.1(1) of chapter 567 IAC 83 specifies that laboratories must be certified to perform analyses that are required to be reported to the department by a provision of the Iowa Code, rule, operation permit, or administrative orders. Alternatively, subrule 83.1(3) list some exclusions to that requirement for certification. Laboratories may not analyze or report their analysis until the certified process has been completed. The results must then be reported in a form and format approved by the department. Subrule 83.6(6) IAC) specifies the details of that the reporting format for each environmental program and they are summarized below.

For CWA Reporting:
567 IAC 83.6(6)"c" specifies certified laboratories must report the analysis to the client. 567-paragraphs 63.2(2)"b" to "e" further specifies that the report to the client must include:
a. The date, exact place and time of sampling
b. The dates analyses were performed
c. Who performed the analyses
d. The analytical techniques or methods used, and
e. The results of such analyses

DNR encourages the use of permit-specific electronic Discharge Monitoring Report forms that can be submitted by email. These forms are also known as Monthly Operation Reports. The contact person in each Environmental Services Field Office to receive the proper forms for your facility is available on our Discharge Monitoring Report forms page.

For SDWA Reporting:
Refer to paragraph 567--IAC 83.6(6)"a". Generally, certified laboratories must report all analytical test results for public water supplies to IDNR. The results must be reported electronically and include the SDWIS method code. Results must be reported weekly and received no later than the 7th of the month following the month in which the samples were analyzed. Complete instructions for electronic reporting are contained within a document entitled "Certified Environmental Lab Reporting for the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWIS)".

It is very important that unsafe samples be reported immediately; unsafe sample results must be reported within 24 hours after analysis by either fax or email. The "direct report" will automatically create a fax form to report unsafe samples for laboratories using this reporting system. See Direct Report, for further detail on reporting unsafe bacterial and chemical samples and resolving electronic reporting issues.

For UST Reporting: 567 IAC 83.6(6)"b" requires certified laboratories report the analytical results to the client requesting the analysis so the client may comply with their reporting requirements of 567-135.6(455B).